While VoIp phones are easy to operate, they require a certain amount of planning before they can be used. If you’re considering VoIP implementation for your business, here are some things you should keep in mind to ensure the process goes smoothly:

Information Systems Audit
The first step in VoIP implementation should be an information systems audit to make sure your company’s infrastructure is capable of supporting a system. Some things to check include:

• – All phone locations to make sure there is at least Cat V cable in place
• – Modems, to ensure they are hooked up to analog ports
• – Virus protection if using a server-based system to see if added protection is needed to guard against worms

Needs Analysis
After making sure your infrastructure is adequate, you’ll next need to assess your needs. Do you need features such as conference calling, voice mail or hold music? Is the system you’re considering capable of routing calls to another number if the primary one is busy? How many users will require access to the system at one time? There’s a wide range of features available, so knowing what you need ahead of time will go a long way toward helping you choose the right system.

Quality
The quality of phone service can vary greatly between providers, and failing to choose a quality system could cause you to lose customers or have disgruntled employees. Do some research on different VoIP phone equipment so you’ll know what type of experiences other users have had. It can also be a good idea to make a test call with your cell phone in order to check sound quality.

This checklist for VoIP implementation is not all-inclusive, as there may be other things you need to consider as well. If you’re confused about any step of the process, contact us. Our expert team of professionals will gladly answer your questions in order to help you make the right decision.